SECRETS

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Yes, papaya seeds are edible. Peppery, sharp and somewhat astringent, these glistening black orbs are an acquired taste. They may be used as a substitute for black pepper, sprinkled on food as a garnish or added to fruit salad for zip. (Check out the Fruit Peacock recipe. It calls for two measly seeds, so you’ll have lots left for other uses.) Rinse the seeds, let them dry, then use them raw or toasted. Papaya seeds are also useful in quick marinades because the papaya plant contains an enzyme called papain, a powerful meat tenderizer. (Don’t marinate overnight if using papain – you don’t want your meat to turn to mush.) Papaya seeds are perhaps best known in the world of folk medicine. They are considered a digestive aid, anti-parasitic agent and rash remedy.How to toast papaya seeds, pg. 229 in 12,167 Kitchen and Cooking Secrets.